Champions Eisbären Berlin impress at DEL start

Celebrating a victory at the start of the league: The Eisbären Berlin.
IMAGO/Kirchner Media

Defending champions Eisbären Berlin have had a perfect start to the new season in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). The club from the capital beat the ambitious Kölner Haie 6:2 (1:0, 3:1, 2:1). The record champions were also considered the big favorites for the championship in the 31st DEL season.

New signings Gabriel Fontaine and Liam Kirk scored twice for the visitors. The other Berlin goals were scored by national strikers Frederik Tiffels (36th) and Erik Hördler (37th).

The Straubing Tigers are the first to lead the table. Last season’s playoff semi-finalists beat Düsseldorfer EG 7:2 (5:1, 2:0, 0:1) and are currently in first place. Joshua Samanski scored two goals against the desolate Rhinelanders.

Munich trembles to a curious success

Co-favorite EHC Red Bull Munich won a strange match against the Iserlohn Roosters with 7:5 (3:0, 0:3, 4:2). The team of former national coach Toni Söderholm squandered a 3:0 and a 4:3 lead in the Sauerland. After 51 minutes, the Munich team were even behind 4:5. Then the Söderholm team turned the match around again with two goals within 28 seconds. Chris DeSousa scored the final score of 7:5 (60th).

National player Michaelis scores on DEL debut

Thanks to a good second period, the Adler Mannheim managed a narrow 4:3 (1:1, 3:0, 0:2) win against the Schwenninger Wild Wings. Within 48 seconds, the Mannheim team turned a 1:1 into a 3:1. Top newcomer Marc Michaelis increased the lead to 4:1 with his first DEL goal (29th). The Wild Wings’ comeback came too late.

With new coach Alexander Sulzer, runner-up Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven defeated the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. In the northern duel, the seaside town team deservedly won 4:1 (1:0, 1:1, 2:0). Sulzer came in the summer to replace Thomas Popiesch, who left the northern Germans for Krefeld after eight years.

The Löwen Frankfurt started against the Nürnberg Ice Tigers with a 3:2 (1:0, 1:1, 1:1).